A young New York professor visiting Phoenix to research his new book is brutally murdered. Historian-turned-sheriff"s deputy David Mapstone should not be investigating Jax Delgado"s death. But Jax was dating David"s sister-in-law Robin, and now she"s someone"s target, too. City police are suspicious of Robin"s role and are trying to pressure her. And the gangsters are able to outgun and outspend law enforcement. The danger is real and growing. To save Robin, David must leave his stack of historic crimes and plunge into the modern world of smuggling-people, drugs, and guns. Jon Talton has been an editor and columnist for The Dayton Daily News, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Rocky Mountain News, The Charlotte Observer, and The Arizona Republic. He lives in Washington state where he is economics columnist for The Seattle Times. South Phoenix Rules is his eighth novel. www.jontalton.com